This story was contributed by Stacy Lynn Fernandes, Nutritional Communications Manager at Nestlé Purina North America.
It’s National Pet Day!
That’s right – a full day dedicated to celebrating our pets, which is not surprising since studies show 80 per cent of dog owners love their dog as much as family.
And knowing that our pets are like family, it’s important we understand, monitor and maintain their wellbeing.
Exercise
To ensure your dog lives its longest, happiest life, it’s important to keep them active. Regardless of its breed or age, all dogs need exercise. Perhaps it’s a short walk in the woods, or a long run on the lakeshore. No matter what the length or intensity may be, they should be active every day.
Just like your annual checkup with your doctor, keeping your dog’s veterinarian visits scheduled like clockwork is an important way to monitor for any diseases or health problems.
Food
It goes without saying, your dog’s food is a huge factor to maintaining its overall health. A great food of choice for your dog can include real meat, poultry or fish as the first ingredient. The formula should be 100 per cent complete and balanced, and contain antioxidants such as vitamins E and A.
Visible Health
One last way to ensure your dog stays in top form is to know and monitor its visible signs of health. You can tell a lot about a dog’s wellbeing by paying close attention to his dental appearance, bowel movements, coat quality, skin condition, energy level, breath smell and willingness to eat.
A healthy dog will have white, tartar-free teeth, bowel movements will be solid and log-shaped, his coat will be silky and shiny, the skin will be clear of blemishes, and not flaky or dry. Additionally, he should have high energy for his age, bearable breath, a strong appetite and an eagerness to eat.
Just like you monitor your own health, it’s important to keep your dog’s wellbeing top of mind, helping to extend the years you have together!
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